Turn on high contrast mode Increase font size

Important COVID-19 Information and Resources

Thu 1 Jul 2021

Important COVID-19 Information and Resources

Involved eNewsletter sent to Involved subscribers Friday 20 August 2021

 

By now you may have heard that there are confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 connected to the disability sector in the ACT.

ACT Health is working closely to provide support to the individuals and the service providers to ensure they are able to continue to safely provide care.

An Outbreak Management Team has been stood up with representatives from ACT Health, the Office for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

Organisations and people who are considered close or casual contacts to cases will be contacted by ACT Health.

The number one priority is to ensure continuity of care for these individuals and that the service providers have the support they need.

 

Arrangements are currently being made to provide emergency support respite accommodation through an existing ACT Disability Support Provider, should it be required.

 

There are priority testing sites open this weekend and Monday (23 August) for people with accessibly or other needs. More information is included below.

 

A reminder that the ACT Government are continuing to offer priority COVID-19 vaccinations for all health, aged and disability care workers. This includes, but is not limited to, clinical and non-clinical workers of hospitals, health, age and disability care facilities. More information below.

 

We know this is a challenging time for many in our community. It is important to look after your mental health and wellbeing. You can find a range of supports on the Mental Health and Wellbeing page of the ACT Health website.

 

We have also compiled a range of information and resources below to assist you during this very challenging time.

 

Disability support services are essential services

Receiving your regular support and care services is considered an essential service so should continue during the lockdown.

Essential services include:

  • personal care
  • administration of medication
  • disability support and respite care
  • medical care
  • nursing care
  • delivery of vital supplies such as food and medications
  • transport, for example to facilitate nursing or medical care, or to support daily living
  • social support provided by health and community service providers for an individual’s well-being.

Where possible, the delivery of services should be contactless. Where it is not possible it is important to consider hygiene practices and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce risks.

 

Masks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Wearing face masks is mandatory in the ACT, so if you are aged 12 years and over you must wear a mask at all times upon leaving home.

 

Exemptions to these requirements include:

  • If the person has a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, which makes wearing a face mask detrimental to their condition.
  • If the person is consuming food, drink or medicine.
  • If the person is communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing and visibility of the mouth is essential for communication.
  • Due to the nature of a person’s essential work.
  • While undertaking vigorous exercise outdoors.
  • Because of an emergency.

 

Information on how to access PPE can be found on the ACT Health website. Requests for PPE can be submitted through completion of an online request form on the ACT COVID-19 website. 

 

COVID-19 symptoms

If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain or a severe fever, call triple zero (000).

 

You should get tested for COVID-19 if you have any of the following symptoms, no matter how mild:

  • A fever of 37.5 degrees or higher, or recent history of fever such as chills or night sweats, OR
  • Symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as sore throat, cough, runny or blocked nose, or shortness of breath, OR
  • Loss of sense of smell or taste.

 

If you have other symptoms and are concerned about COVID-19, speak to your health professional and they will advise you whether COVID-19 testing is necessary.

 

If you don’t have any symptoms, you don’t need to get tested, unless a health authority (such as ACT Health) has asked you to have a test.

 

 

COVID-19 testing for people with a disability

ACT Health is ensuring safe, efficient and equitable access to COVID-19 testing for all Canberrans.

 

We have developed a tailored and targeted testing approach for tomorrow (21 August) at Gold Creek Pop Up testing site, with prioritised arrangements for both children and young people with sensory or additional needs, and people with disability.

 

From 8am to 12pm, tomorrow (Saturday 21 August) at Gold Creek Pop Up testing site we are offering testing to children and young people with sensory needs and/or those who need additional support to undertake a test.

 

From 12pm to 4pm, the Gold Creek Pop Up testing site will be open to all people with disability or reduced mobility who require support to access testing.

 

Our priority is to minimise risk for these vulnerable cohorts in our community. We are looking at further arrangements for the coming days to expand these testing arrangements.

More information about the location of testing sites can be found on the Where to get tested page on the COVID-19 website.

In addition, people with disability who are unable to attend a testing site can call ACT Health on 5124 6500. ACT Health will talk to the person about their needs and COVID-19 contact status and assess whether they are suitable for in-reach testing. The request is passed on to a team who will schedule the in-reach testing. Depending on demand for this service, a request may not guarantee a test.

 

COVID-19 Vaccination

The ACT Government are continuing to offer priority COVID-19 vaccinations for all health, aged and disability care workers. This includes, but is not limited to, clinical and non-clinical workers of hospitals, health, age and disability care facilities.

Bookings can be made by calling the ACT COVID-19 vaccine booking line on 5124 7700 (7am to 7pm, daily). Identify yourself as an aged, disability or health care worker. You’ll need to answer a few questions to confirm your employment.

If you already have a booking that’s more than 10 days away, you can reschedule your appointment for a date and time within the next 3 days.

If you need the help of a translator, call the translating and interpreting service (TIS) on 131 450 and ask to be connected to the ACT COVID-19 vaccine booking line.

Find more information on the ACT COVID-19 vaccination web page.

 

 

Webinar for people with disability on COVID-19 vaccination program

The Australian Department of Health hosted a webinar for people with disability, their families and carers on 5 August to answer vaccination questions and provide support through the COVID-19 vaccination program.

A recording of the webinar is now available on the Department of Health website and on the Department’s YouTube page.

 

 

Other Useful Information and Support

 

Planning tool for people with disability during COVID-19

A COVID-19 Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness Planning Tool has been developed for the ACT. It is a great tool for people with disability and their carers and family to:

  • get the facts about COVID-19;
  • manage how to cope being in lockdown or quarantine; and
  • provide advice if you, a member of your family or someone who supports you, gets COVID-19 symptoms.

 

The tool can be accessed here online or contact your service provider who will be able to send you a copy in the mail or contact officefordisability@act.gov.au

 

Emergency Food Relief

If you are experiencing hardship and cannot afford to feed your family or yourself during the lockdown in the ACT you can request a food and essential item delivery to your front door for free.

 

A volunteer will deliver your order to your front door. These volunteers are not permitted to enter your home.

 

If you are unable to collect the delivery from your front door you will need to arrange for a carer or approved visitor to assist you.

 

A limited number of pantry items are available through this service. Fresh produce is not available at this time.

 

This is an urgent relief service for those most in need. The ACT Government will monitor the demand for this service over the lockdown period to see if further food relief is required.

 

To place an order for emergency food and essential items and to find out what items are available call VolunteeringACT on 1800 43 11 33, on Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.  If the phone is not answered, please leave a message and someone will return your call.

 

Shopping and Grocery Delivery Options

We understand some households are unable to get groceries delivered in a timely manner due to demand.

 

If you are not in quarantine or isolation, and can go to a supermarket to shop, you can do so under the lockdown rules. Try to shop in your local region, and get in and out as quickly as possible.

 

If you are shopping for a family member or friend, please ensure you drop the groceries off without coming into contact with them.

 

If you need to order home delivery, there is a range of options to consider through other grocers and independent supermarkets as well as the major supermarkets listed on the Access help page of the COVID-19 website webpage.

 

Woolworths grocery delivery for vulnerable customers

Woolworths will be providing a Priority Assistance service with dedicated delivery windows for vulnerable customers.

 

Eligible customers include people with disability, seniors and those with compromised immunity or who are required to self-isolate.

 

Woolworths also provide Priority Assistance services to vulnerable business customers which include aged care facilities, child care centres, disability services, community housing, some charities, and prisons.

 

Register with Woolworths for Priority Assistance and be sure to include any supporting information to assist Woolworths in assessing your request. If you accessed the Priority Assistance service during 2020, you should be able to see ‘preferred’ delivery windows when shopping online with Woolworths via a mobile or desktop device. Priority Assist windows are not unlimited, so there may be times where customers will not find a preferred window.

 

COVID-19 Disaster Payment

The Australian Government through Services Australia is providing a lump-sum payment for people who lost work and income due to the COVID-19 public health order in the ACT.

 

The type of payment you may be able to get depends on if you get an eligible payment or not. For more information and to check your eligibility for this payment, please go to the COVID-19 Disaster Payment page on the Services Australia website.

 

Individual support for students with disability

Public school students with disability or additional needs are receiving individual support during remote learning.

 

Teachers and Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) will work with their students and families to ensure the right supports are in place to help students engage in remote learning.

 

Where possible, schools will have a range of activities for students and families to choose from. 

 

If you have specific concerns, contact your school to discuss how your child’s needs can be best supported.

 

Please note your child’s Learning Support Assistant will not be able to attend your home during lockdown.

 

All ACT public schools remain open for the children of families that can’t work from home.

 

To learn more, visit the Education Directorate Remote Learning page on their website.

 

Information in alternative formats and helplines

It can be difficult to explain COVID-19, mask wearing and lock down to people so here are some resources that can help you and the people you support to make the conversation easier.

 

Scope Australia Accessible Information

Scope have developed some great communication resources for understanding and staying safe from COVID-19, including:

 

Scope Australia Social Stories:

Social Stories are used to help someone better understand a specific social situation or idea.

Here are some Social Stories that explain the different situations and experiences you could have because of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

The Council for Intellectual Disability has created a range of Easy Read and Plain English guides about:

 

Activity and connection ideas during lockdown

 

 

You can also call the National Coronavirus and COVID-19 Vaccine Helpline which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 020 080. Contact details are also found here: National coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine helpline

 

To connect to disability information and services you can call the National Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787. The Disability Gateway also includes a website at

National Disability Gateway

 

For emergency respite, you can call your local Carer Gateway Service Provider 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 422 737.  Contact details are also found here: Contact Carers ACT

 

Advice and resources Information for people with disability are available on the ACT COVID-19 website the CSD Support for people with disability.  

 

If you have any further questions that have not been addressed after reading the ACT Health information, please contact the Office for Disability at officefordisability@act.gov.au or 6207 1086.

 

Kind regards

Office for Disability | Inclusion & Participation

6207 1086

officefordisability@act.gov.au

Community Services Directorate | ACT Government

GPO Box 158 Canberra City ACT 2601

www.communityservices.act.gov.au

www.involvedcbr.com.au/

Categories

Inclusive and accessible communities
Learning and skills
Health and wellbeing